After years of waiting, Diana, Princess of Themyscira, has hit our screens in a truly wondrous fashion. With a projected opening weekend of 100 million dollars (topping Thor, Guardians of the Galaxy, or Batman Begins), the sequel already greenlit, and some of the best reviews that a superhero movie has ever received, the myth of a woman not being able to lead a superhero franchise has finally been slayed. But as with any great movie it has left us wanting more, so we’ve put together a list of some of the most wonderful comics to pick up if you want more Diana in your life.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan or you’ve never picked up a comic in your life, we’ve selected a bunch of the best Wonder Woman stories. All are perfect jumping-on points to get your fix of the iconic warrior princess, without getting lost in decades of confusing continuity!
Wonder Woman: The True Amazon – Jill Thompson, lettered by Jason Arthur
Jill Thompson’s original graphic novel about a young and conflicted Diana is one of the most humane and authentic renderings of Wonder Woman ever to be put on the page. Straying from the decades-old idea of Diana as an incorruptible and perfect heroine, this book paints her as a selfish and powerful young woman who must find the humility and strength to become a true hero. One of Thompson’s strongest storytelling choices is to remove Steve Trevor entirely, creating an alternate narrative in which Diana goes to man’s world for her own reasons, giving this young, passionate incarnation even more agency to discover who she is in her own way. A perfect starting point for new readers, this beautifully illustrated book explains the history of the Amazons and Themyscira whilst giving Wonder Woman a relatable backstory, revealing hidden depths to the icon that we know and love.
The Legend of Wonder Woman – Renae De Liz and Ray Dillon
Another contemporary classic is the 2015 DC Comics series The Legend of Wonder Woman. Beginning as a digital first book, this incredible retelling of Diana’s origin became a word of mouth hit and is now available as a collection at your local comic shop or bookstore. Focusing on Diana’s adventures as a young Amazonian, this is one of the first Wonder Woman books that was aimed specifically at younger readers, though it can be enjoyed by anyone. De Liz’s gorgeous artwork paints a world beyond imagination: a Disney-esque land where princesses are badass warrior women learning how to save the world. Beginning the story with Diana as a child, the book follows her from a sheltered princess to the complex, caring, and compassionate heroine that the world knows. Exploring Diana’s relationship with her mother, and focusing heavily on Paradise Island, this vibrant tale is perfect for fans who adored baby Diana and the film’s opening 45 minutes on Themyscira.
Wonder Woman: Earth One – Grant Morrison, Yanick Paquette, Nathan Fairbairn, and Todd Cline
This long awaited addition to DC’s popular Earth One imprint, a line which reimagines the origins of their most beloved characters, is one of the best renderings of Wonder Woman’s beginnings. Morrison’s understanding of Wonder Woman’s creator William Moulton-Marston’s influences–he was heavily involved in the world of S&M and saw it as a powerful way for women to assert dominance–means that he paints a Diana who’s strong and beautiful yet never fetishized. Yanick Paquette’s art and paneling choices bring the book to life, with inspired decisions like using the lasso as a way of breaking up the page, and embracing an almost art deco otherworldliness that makes Paradise Island feel alive. In this tale we find Wonder Woman on trial for leaving Themyscira, and this creates an easy way of reasserting the character’s background without it ever feeling forced. This book also realigns some of the more problematic parts of Diana’s canon, creating a far more inclusive vision of the Amazons and renaming Etta Candy (an awful fat joke from the classic comics) as Beth, whilst making her the true moral compass of the book.
Wonder Woman – George Perez, Greg Potter, Len Wein, Bruce D Patterson, Tatjana Wood, and John Costanza
Easily the most iconic and beloved collection of Wonder Woman stories is George Perez’s run on the book that began in 1987. Now in an omnibus, fans can enjoy this classic comic book rendering of the first Princess of DC. It’s a sprawling fantasy epic that gave heretofore undelivered depth and heart to the origin of Diana, and forged the iconic hero into a beloved heroine for all ages. This was a revelatory run realigning how comic companies portrayed their female heroes–at least for a while–with vibrant art and an in-depth story that’s captured readers’ imaginations for decades. Crafting a high energy tale steeped in the lore of gods and monsters, the creative team never lose sight of the humanity at the core of Diana and make sure that readers never forget that her message is one of positivity and morality. This is perfect for fans of both classic comic art and beautifully told stories of good triumphing over evil.
DC Super Hero Girls: Finals Crisis – Shea Fontana and Yancey Labat
Though this is an ensemble book, DC Super Hero Girls is led by Wonder Woman. This book heavily focuses on her journey to fit in at Super Hero High whilst still managing to lead the other heroes in saving the world. One of the loveliest young readers series currently being published, this graphic novel is perfect for your very own baby Dianas who’ve inspired by the recent movie and want to learn more. A fun-filled story jam packed with strong female characters, artwork that jumps off the pages, and iconic characters with age appropriate costumes, this is an unmissable tale for all young superhero fans.
Images: DC Comics
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